Jacob Ricord

As printed in 1883

JACOB RICORD, the present popular and efficient postmaster of Iowa City, was born September 26, 1816, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His father, Thomas Ricord, moved from the state of Delaware to Philadelphia in 1815, and in 1817 settled in Cincinnati, Ohio, with his wife and two children, Edward and Jacob..The journey was made over the Alleghany mountains in a wagon drawn by one horse, taking them six weeks. From Cincinnati he moved to Dearborn county, Indiana, and on the 4th day of March, 1840, we find him and his family in Iowa City. Mr. Ricord was a shoemaker by trade when he came to Iowa City, and became a merchant dealer in boots and shoes and carried on that business in Iowa City until June 14, 1880, when he was appointed by President Hayes the postmaster of Iowa City. He was mayor of Iowa City in 1875. 76, and 1878-79, and was for several years a member of the city council. During his service in the city council the principal streets were greatly improved by macadam. He was soundly abused for it, but in due time the principal fault-tinder were the loudest in his praise, and speak words of commendation in his behalf for the valuable services he had rendered in carrying forward important public improvements on the streets. During his term of service in the city council he was chairman of the finance committee. The city being heavily in debt and suffering from heavy taxation, caused by taking railroad stock, it became absolutely necessary to do something to relieve the over-burdened taxpayers of the city. Mr. Ricord, by prudent management, brought relief. His financial plans proved a success. He refused to pay the ten year accrued interest on the railroad bonds, and resisted the collection in the courts and was finally successful, and it was to his good judgment, acting under the advice of legal counsel, that the people are indebted for getting them free from paying about $10,000 of interest. Mr. Ricord during the first year he was mayor, collected about $4,600 for fine and licenses. He enforced the Sunday law, and all violations of law that came under his control were dealt with in a rigid manner; the lawless element and the vicious attempted to control him, and after failing, they made threats of violence, but they found him stern, unyielding and equal to every emergency. Mr. Ricord is a republican and has always proved himself a valuable party worker in all important campaigns. Mr. Ricord was married Mav 12, 1847, to Miss Emily Evans, of Iowa City. They have four children, to-wit: Charles J., Emma, Arthur F., and Gennevie. It is not out of place for us to say right here that Jacob Ricord was the first assessor of Iowa county, and made the first sale and transfer of land in Iowa county to Henrv Lutchen, February 27, 1846. Mr. R. is a member of the I. O. O. F. of Iowa City. His wife is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Her parents belonged to the best families of Missouri. She was born April 19, 1829, on Easter Sunday, in St. Genevie, Missouri. In March, 1833, with her father moved to the coal mines in what is now Dubuque county. In the year 1840 they settled in Johnson county.

As printed in History of Johnson County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, and its townships, cities and villages from 1836 to 1882. Together with biographical sketches .. (1883). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.